Orthopedic Surgeon, Clinical Expert (Contract)

Kinetic Systems • San Francisco, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Work with an applied AI research lab at the intersection of healthcare and AI, bringing orthopedic and surgical judgment to the testing and improvement of AI. The role partners with researchers to demonstrate good care in the specialty, including documentation, handoffs, and clinical decisions. The surgeon will author clinical cases from the ground up by assembling realistic patient charts, posing and answering clinical questions, and defining what distinguishes strong responses from weak or unsafe ones. No coding or AI experience is required; tools will be taught. This is a part-time contract role designed to fit alongside clinical practice, requiring 10–15 hours per week for at least one month, with a possible extension. San Francisco on-site work is strongly preferred; remote work may be considered for candidates in the US.

Requirements

• MD or DO with an active, unrestricted medical license in any US state.
• Board certified in Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS or AOBOS), or board eligible.
• Completed an accredited orthopedic surgery residency in the US.
• At least 2 years of independent, hands-on practice after residency or fellowship.
• Currently practicing, or have been in clinical practice within the last 3 years.
• Working knowledge of AAOS clinical practice guidelines and appropriate use criteria.
• Excellent written English and ability to explain clinical reasoning precisely and concisely.
• Able to commit 10–15 hours per week for at least 1 month, with a possible extension.

Nice To Haves

• Fellowship training in an orthopedic subspecialty, such as sports medicine, adult reconstruction, spine, hand and upper extremity, trauma, foot and ankle, or shoulder and elbow.
• Experience across practice environments, including academic, private practice, ambulatory surgery centers, or hospital employment.
• Strong command of orthopedic documentation, coding, and payer rules, including prior authorization and surgical appropriateness criteria.
• Experience writing board-style questions, teaching cases, or CME material.
• Residency faculty or teaching experience.
• Experience in utilization review, peer review, quality improvement, or independent medical examination work.
• Peer reviewing for journals or clinical research experience.
• Prior experience writing rubrics, building test cases, or reviewing AI outputs on any platform.
• Consistent, well-reasoned judgments across similar cases, supported by specific evidence.
• Enjoyment of developing difficult cases, including atypical presentations and cases where imaging does not match the exam or the patient does not fit the textbook.
• Ability to work independently, meet agreed timelines, and give and receive direct written feedback.
• Emphasis on case accuracy over case volume.

Responsibilities

• Partner with researchers to demonstrate good orthopedic care, including paperwork, handoffs, and clinical decision-making.
• Author realistic clinical cases by assembling patient charts, posing clinical questions, answering them, and evaluating strong, weak, or unsafe responses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree